Here are a few big bike friendly possibilities to Hawthorne, though a torrential downpour/flash flood could change that. You already know about Hwy 208, County 3C, and Lucky Boy Pass Rd so I did not include them.

Fort Churchill track takes you across the dry lake and cross country like I described in my earlier post. You can stay on Simpson Rd if you like and still end up at Hooten Well. The power line road into Yerington is easy stuff.

Mickey Canyon track has some rocks on it but it is pretty well tamped down from all the quad and 4 wheeler traffic but it can see some damage from severe rain, watch out for ditches.

Weed Heights track has some gravel in the wash but it is pretty well packed down and you are going uphill so it is easier IMO. There is a new mine up there so watch out for truck traffic.

To Powerline is easy and takes you to a powerline road that is more interesting than riding down 3C.

Not much in the way of food in Silver Springs but in Yerington I like the deli in the Mexican Market across from the courthouse on Main Street. There is also a deli at the fuel stop in Smith. There is fuel in Silver Springs, on Johnson Lane between hwy 395 and Sunrise Pass Rd and in Yerington. There is also fuel in Smith but they only have regular and diesel, no premium.

This is just a small sampling of what is out there and it is all big bike friendly. Have fun, maybe I'll see you out there.

NOTE. Just remembered that the Sunrise Pass track starts just off Sunrise Pass Rd. When you hit the end of Johnson Lane and it turns to dirt there is a dirt road that comes in on the right about 100 yards into the dirt and drops in to cross a small wash, this is Sunrise Pass Rd. There is a sign there but it could be knocked down. Just stay on the graded road, though the 2 short 2 track deviations from Sunrise Pass Rd in the first couple of miles are doable on big bikes there is a sandy wash on the 2 track accessed on Juniper Valley Rd that you have to drop into, ride about 30 yards then climb out. Sunrise Pass Rd is pretty much a highway but watch out for oncoming traffic.

Here are a few big bike friendly possibilities to Hawthorne, though a torrential downpour/flash flood could change that. You already know about Hwy 208, County 3C, and Lucky Boy Pass Rd so I did not include them.

Fort Churchill track takes you across the dry lake and cross country like I described in my earlier post. You can stay on Simpson Rd if you like and still end up at Hooten Well. The power line road into Yerington is easy stuff.

Mickey Canyon track has some rocks on it but it is pretty well tamped down from all the quad and 4 wheeler traffic but it can see some damage from severe rain, watch out for ditches.

Weed Heights track has some gravel in the wash but it is pretty well packed down and you are going uphill so it is easier IMO. There is a new mine up there so watch out for truck traffic.

To Powerline is easy and takes you to a powerline road that is more interesting than riding down 3C.

Not much in the way of food in Silver Springs but in Yerington I like the deli in the Mexican Market across from the courthouse on Main Street. There is also a deli at the fuel stop in Smith. There is fuel in Silver Springs, on Johnson Lane between hwy 395 and Sunrise Pass Rd and in Yerington. There is also fuel in Smith but they only have regular and diesel, no premium.

This is just a small sampling of what is out there and it is all big bike friendly. Have fun, maybe I'll see you out there.

NOTE. Just remembered that the Sunrise Pass track starts just off Sunrise Pass Rd. When you hit the end of Johnson Lane and it turns to dirt there is a dirt road that comes in on the right about 100 yards into the dirt and drops in to cross a small wash, this is Sunrise Pass Rd. There is a sign there but it could be knocked down. Just stay on the graded road, though the 2 short 2 track deviations from Sunrise Pass Rd in the first couple of miles are doable on big bikes there is a sandy wash on the 2 track accessed on Juniper Valley Rd that you have to drop into, ride about 30 yards then climb out. Sunrise Pass Rd is pretty much a highway but watch out for oncoming traffic.

Thanks, this is great! Just one question: in the last paragraph, are you saying the Juniper Valley Ranch Rd detour is better for big bikes? Or should a big bike stay right and keep on Sunrise Pass Road?

The short detour on Juniper Valley is a short 2 track that has a short sandy wash that you have to go down for about 30 yards. Not bad but you said no sand. You could just stay on Sunrise Pass Rd to avoid it.

The short detour on Juniper Valley is a short 2 track that has a short sandy wash that you have to go down for about 30 yards. Not bad but you said no sand. You could just stay on Sunrise Pass Rd to avoid it.

March is really early but I would cross the Sierra on Hwy 4. If the snow is gone, it has the most parallel dirt options from Murphys to Bear Valley. Then 4 narrows to 1 1/2 lanes and is the most fun ride over the top. 108 has the best views but much more highway.

Going over 4, then thru Topaz then north of Mt Pat to Walker East Fork down to Fletcher, over Luck Boy to Hawthorn.

All that stuff south/east of Carson City is ok but nothing worth going out of your way to ride.

From Topaz, Ricky Cyn is probably too much, just go up to Graded Risu Cyn Rd which is neat ride over to Sweetwater Rd (338), Lucky boy is County Graded Rd. The 2-track following the Walker river is a little difficult and the crossing at Rough Creek can be deep and there are gates which have been locked at times so perhaps best to just stay on Lucky Boy.

For Max points of interest, turn up to Masonic just after crossing walker river on Lucky Boy, ride thru Masonic to Bodie then down thru Aurora to Fletcher and back on Lucky Boy.

From Topaz, Ricky Cyn is probably too much, just go up to Graded Risu Cyn Rd which is neat ride over to Sweetwater Rd (338), Lucky boy is County Graded Rd. The 2-track following the Walker river is a little difficult and the crossing at Rough Creek can be deep and there are gates which have been locked at times so perhaps best to just stay on Lucky Boy.

For Max points of interest, turn up to Masonic just after crossing walker river on Lucky Boy, ride thru Masonic to Bodie then down thru Aurora to Fletcher and back on Lucky Boy.

The optional loop over Cory Peak is also a bit much for big bikes.

Hey Jerry,

I'm having a hard time finding on a map some of the points you mention above. If you've got a moment, would it be possible for you to take a look at the enclosed GPX and let me know what you think? I'm mostly interested in your thoughts about the routes from Gardnerville down to Hawthorne, then Hawthorne down to Goldfield. Based on your earlier suggestions, my first choice is the blue route from Gardnerville to Hawthorne as it seemed the most interesting but still ok for large dual sport bikes.

Thanks,
Fergus

P.S. The "Cabin Under Rock" trail is not one I'm seriously thinking about taking; more there for curiosity than anything.